Domino’s youngest NZ owner Liam Stops: From dishwasher to head office and a $134m turnaround plan

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Dishwasher aged 12. New Zealand’s youngest-ever Domino’s store owner at 18. By 31, a key job with the top brass in head office.

Hawke’s Bay’s Liam Stops has risen from tea towels to market manager for New Zealand. Now he’s helping to lead the chain’s turnaround plans after its Australian owner recently booked a $134 million annual loss.

While most 12-year-olds might view their after-school job as pocket money for ice creams, Stops was always chasing a bigger slice.

He was managing his local store by 15, and dropped out of high school in Year 11.

In 2013, he and brother Kaedyn sold their cars, emptied their savings and put up about $40,000, while accepting a $450,000 loan from Domino’s at about 12% interest.